Edmonton continued to add to their roster on Sunday as they acquired Vasily Podkolzin from Vancouver for a 2025 4th-round pick (Ottawa). Podkolzin was Vancouver's 2019 1st round pick (10th overall) but had fallen out of favor with the Canucks after producing only two assists, and 20 SOG in 19 games played in 2023-24.
Podkolzin appeared in the Canucks' previous two games but will head back to the press box as Sam Lafferty takes his spot in Vancouver's lineup for Game 7. The 22-year-old failed to pick up a point in his short two-game showing but had 10 PIMs, two SOG and +1 plus/minus while averaging just 8:31 TOI/GP.
Podkolzin appeared in 19 games during the regular season and had just two assists but is expected to make his playoff debut in Game 5 as he replaces Sam Lafferty. The 22-year-old right-winger has 35 points (18G/17A) in 137 career games played before making his playoff debut in Game 5.
Podkolzin has failed to draw into the lineup for Vancouver's first four playoff games and has been sent down to Abottsford (AHL) to receive some playing time. In 19 games with Vancouver this season, the 22-year-old Podkolzin scored two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 10:49 time-on-ice.
Podkolzin was the 10th overall pick of the Canucks in the 2019 NHL Entry draft and has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension. He has been limited to 18 games with Vancouver this season, spending most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, scoring 28 points (15G / 13A) in 44 games with the Abbotsford Cancuks.
Podkolzin will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Phil Di Giuseppe to draw back into the lineup. The 22-year-old Podkolzin has two points (0G / 2A) in 16 games this season.
Podkolzin just played his first three games with Vancouver this season, being held off the scoresheet while averaging nearly 11 minutes of ice time. He has spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with Abbotsford (AHL), where he has 28 points (15G / 13A) in 44 games.
Podkolzin just played his first two games with Vancouver this season, being held off the scoresheet while averaging nearly 11 minutes of ice time. He has spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with Abbotsford (AHL), where he has 28 points (15G / 13A) in 44 games.
Podkolzin just played his first two games with Vancouver this season, being held off the scoresheet while averaging nearly 11 minutes of icetime. He will return to Abbotsford (AHL), where he has 28 points (15G / 13A) in 44 games.
Podkolzin recorded seven points (4G / 3A) in 39 games with Vancouver last season to go with 18 points (7G / 11A) in 28 games with Abbotsford (AHL). Vancouver's first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft will likely see time between both squads again this season. Akito Hirose was recalled from Abbotsford but is unlikely to see much playing time with Vancouver's recent addition of Sam Lafferty.
Podkolzin had three assists in 16 NHL games earlier in the season before being sent to Abbotsford (AHL). Since the demotion, the 21-year-old has picked up seven goals and 11 assists (18 points) in 28 AHL games. Podkolzin skated on the third line with Sheldon Dries and Brock Boeser in Sunday's practice.
Podkolzin got injured in a fight with Boston's A.J. Greer on Sunday and left the game after just three shifts and 2:05 TOI. The 21-year-old has three points through 15 games this year off just 18 SOG while playing only 12:46 ATOI.
Podkolzin was a healthy scratch last night but will draw into the lineup in Nashville. Podkolzin ranks second on the Canucks in 5v5 G/60 (0.86) this season.
